After a weeks absence in the Mediterranean I was really surprised at just
how green the reserve has become in such a short time. The masses of white
blackthorn have now been replaced by the more subtly coloured off-white and lacy
Hawthorn flowers. The hedges are alive with birdsong and the default bird this
weekend was certainly Sedge Warbler. On Saturday between the bridle way and the
first screen we counted eight singing and displaying males. Hobbies are regular
over Greenaways and as usual reluctant to be very active until nearer to midday.
They will soon have dragonflies to hunt as I was shown a photograph taken on
Saturday morning of one of the first Hairy Dragonflies to emerge this year. All
the regular warblers are in, but as yet there seem to be very few Reed Warblers.
Garden Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats are establishing regular singing spots
and there seems to have been a late influx of Whitethroats. Apart from the
breeding Lapwings, Snipe and Redshanks the only waders were a couple of Black
tailed Godwits on Big Otmoor and the pair of wandering Oystercatchers. Curlews
are calling regularly over the MOD land and a pair flew through onto Ashgrave on
Sunday. New for the year is a Little Owl seen flying in Otmoor lane last week
and of course the fabulous Whiskered Tern.

On Monday I did the first visit of my regular BTO breeding bird surveys,
which includes a large part of the Flood Field, the Barn Field, some hay meadows
and a section of the North Pill Ground. It is a very bird rich habitat and it is
noticeable how the variety and density of birds is even higher on the RSPB land
than on the other parts. I recorded just over forty species on my two transects
the most uncommon was probably a fly-over Raven. Most unusual was not seeing any
Great Tits but I feel sure that I will see some on one of my later visits. Just
one Grasshopper warbler was heard but they do do seem to go quiet for a bit
after their initial burst of song. On the older hay meadows the Green Winged
Orchids are in flower but seem not to be as abundant as in previous years,
perhaps as a result of this winters flooding.

Grass Snakes and Common Lizards were to be found both in the carpark field
and along the Roman Road, with patient and careful looking.

We are still waiting with bated breath for the return of our Turtle Doves,
if they are not back in the next week or so then we will begin to get very
concerned. Summer on Otmoor would be so much poorer without their soft purring
calls and their subtle beauty. I sincerely hope they don’t go the same way as
our Nightingales did.